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Listed: Q and Not U + Neotropic

Q and Not U

Q And Not U - John Davis, Harris Klahr and Chris Richards - formed in the summer of 1998 (along with former member Matt Borlik) and began playing out in November of that year. The band's first release, the "Hot and Informed" single, came out in April 2000 and their second release, the No Kill No Beep full-length record, was released in October of 2000.

Q And Not U released a single on vinyl and compact disc,"On Play Patterns," in April of 2002. In May and June of 2002, the trio returned to Inner Ear Recording Studio to record a new full-length, Different Damage. It was released in the fall of 2002 and, like their previous recordings, it was produced and engineered by Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara. Following the release of Different Damage, Q And Not U embarked upon extensive touring of the U.S., Europe, Canada and Japan.

In June of 2003, Q And Not U re-entered Inner Ear with Ian and Don to record the single, "X-polynation" b/w "Book of Flags." Upon the release of this single in September 2003 the band embarked on a major U.S. tour with label mates Black Eyes and were joined for parts of this tour by other label mates El Guapo, Antelope and others.

In June 2004 the band entered The Love Story (El Guapo's home studio in NYC), with El Guapo's Rafael Cohen and Pete Cafarella, to record their new full length, Power. The album was mixed with Don Zientara at Inner Ear studios and mastered by Chad Clark at Silver Sonya. Power is set to be released in early October in the states and late Septemberin Europe. Q And Not U plan extensive touring worldwide to coincide with the release of the album.

1. The Bass that Ate Miami Compilation – Miami bass is interesting to me because it's this really schizo, militant aesthetic that served really decadent purposes. It just doesn't seem like drug music, or even dance music, really. I feel like it could kill me at any second. And then there's a Muppets sample. Maggatron has the best tracks on this record.

2. Sparks - Propaganda (Island, 1974) – More baffling and wonderful music from the schizo-decadent axis, making Sparks, the band, very similar to Sparks the alcoholic energy drink.

3. Gloria Scott - “What Am I Gonna Do?” (Casablanca, 1974) – Yeah, what AM I gonna do? This might be the most trenchant and devastating song I've ever heard. A song like this can't help you because it has to tell you the truth.

4. David Bowie - Low (Virgin, 1977) – I am finally discovering Bowie at age 25. I think I was drawn to hardcore and DIY music in my formative years because they were so empowering. “Not only am I powerful,” hardcore says, “but you can do this TOO.” Well you can't do Bowie. You can't be this fearless, and you can't do it so effortlessly. You can't open your album with an instrumental. And if you do, it's not going to be this incredibly awesome. So please don't try.

5. Roxy Music - Siren (Virgin, 1975) – Because “Love is the Drug” is probably a perfect song, if you can forgive the car sounds at the beginning. Boo on those car sounds.

6. Black Flag - Damaged (SST, 1981) – I am stunned and delighted that I can keep returning to this album year after year and find something new and surprising about it. Especially because, at first glance, it's a very obtuse and angry thing. This album will be a lifetime companion to me.

7. Christina Milian - Dip It Low (Reggaeton Remix) 12" (Universal International) – Try as I may, I cannot resist Ms. Milian and the gratuitous remixes of this song. Oh, how this summerjam compels me. The mysteries of pop music!

8. Mantronix - In Full Effect (Capitol, 1988) – I guess they were old hat when this came out in '88, but In Full Effect is definitely my favorite Mantronix record. “Simple Simon” puts a crazy feeling in my heart and I can't tell whether to laugh or cry at “Love Letter.”

9. Breeders - Last Splash (4AD, 1993) – I listen to this whenever I hate music or I need to remember why guitars are worth a tinkers damn. This record has been a true mentor to me, at times. Oh, Pixiwhut? Dear World: Please let me know when you're ready to give Kim Deal her REAL PROPS.

12. Italo Deruggiero - (untitled mixtape) – Harris just floated me a dub of one of his Italian disco mixes and I bought this one up on the trusty Internet, soon after. I love it when dance music is this buoyant – it can push you along and wash over you at the same time.

13. Tim Hecker - Mirages (Alien8, 2004) – Tim's new music, while still elegant and mesmerizing, is really dense. This recording carries a menacing weight, like a cold and unforgiving rain. I listened to it on headphones while wearing some orange-tinted ski goggles. We were driving through upstate New York at dusk and I felt like we were navigating some futuristic chemical-damaged landscape. Now I really look forward to traveling with this recording.

Neotropic

Riz Maslen, a.k.a. Neotropic, has been producing music and multi-media projects for nearly a decade. One of the most prominent in a growing population of women composers working in post-techno experimental electronics, her work combines ambient, dub, and electro with touches of folk and hip hop. From her first vocal appearance on Future Sound of London's Accelerator to her affiliation with Ntone/Ninja Tune in the late-’90s, she remains part of an elite group of artists who've shaped the way electronic music is performed and appreciated. Her live show incorporates live music as well as visuals into her set to create a completely cinematic experience. She has toured the top venues in North America, Europe, and Australia and her appearances at the Montreux and Coachella festivals mark an already distinguished career.

1. Sufjan Stevens - "We Are What You Say" (Asthmatic Kitty)This is my favorite artist of the moment. If I could work with anyone right now it would be Sufjan. I think we could definitely do something very special together? Anyone who plays recorder rocks in my book! This tune has all the elements of folk, rock, electronic and Eastern influences that all marry to make perfect listening, harkens back to the heady days of the 60's with a 21st century touch.

2. Appendix Out - "I Feel Like An Elf : Black Bean And Placenta"I picked this up recently on a compilation of demos - don't know anything about the artist but love the track!

3. Blonde Redhead featuring David Sylvian - "Messenger" (4AD)I grew up with Japan and David's voice would always make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and he still has that ability and here he’s teamed up with the great Blond Redhead - totally beautiful...

4. Agent Provocateur featuring Siobhan Fahey - "She's Lost Control Again" - (Sanctuary)I would not normally buy anything covering a Joy Division track as in my book its sacrilege! But even though it's a wee bit cheesy, I still love it! Siobhan Fahey's (Banarama fame) almost-male vocal works perfectly.

5. Klang - "Love" (For Us)Donna from Elastica's new project, it's great - I love this. Donna used to hang out in a rehearsal studio I used to work in before her days of Elastica in Dollis Hill. It was full of all these cool, talented musicians who all seemed to have had varied amounts of success, the likes of Feeder, FSOL, 4 Hero...

6. Scott Walker - "It's Raining Again"I am bit of a late starter in the Scott Walker world and only recently got hold of his solo stuff - his approach to songs and songwriting is truly inspiring and I love his observations of daily life and how he manages to hit the emotional spot every time for me. I believe at the time of him releasing this stuff people thought he was too avant garde, preferring his more pop material as part of the Walker Brothers - listening to it today it still sounds fresh and I can't think of anyone who comes close - a dream of mine would be to collaborate with him...

7. Devo - "I Can't Get No Satisfaction"Well a classic slice of 80's pop! I never really was into them first time around, but I'm rediscovering the old classics that passed me by the first time.

8. Devendra Banhart - "Be Kind" (XL)Wow I first heard this little tune while working in Small Fish (record store, possibly the best record shop in London!). Is Devendra the new Marc Bolan? you decide...

9. Killing Joke - "Requiem"This was one of the biggest tracks for me while growing up in rural Gloucestershire, living in a very small farming community with nothing but one bus a week to the nearest town, two pubs and a post office that closed down. The best was in winter when we got snowed in and us kids used to just hang out at each others' houses and listen to all kinds of music, bored with our rural lives we immersed ourselves in the delights of great music - Even now when I play this track it just blows me away, dark moody, reflecting our teenage angst.

10. PJ Harvey - "Who the F**K?" (Island)Well I could not have had a top 10 without Polly - if I am having a bad day and need some light relief, I always stick a PJ track on to jump around my living room screaming at the top of my voice, always sorts me out :).